How Much Should A Birth Photographer Cost?

I finally get someone on board to the idea of birth photography and then I hear, "You charge what!?" So I thought I would take a quick minute to explain what birth photography is…

-It's the same talent and gear as a wedding photographer but worse lighting conditions and no set shooting date.
-It's being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Christmas Day, birthdays, holidays.
-It's leaving at 3am and not knowing when you will return home.
-It's having an amazing support team and a babysitter on call.
-It's bringing home hospital viruses during cold/ flu season.
-It's spending hours processing and editing hundreds of photos to create a complete birth story.

So considering all those points, I would hope you understand why a professional birth photographer is a bargain for the price. I could make quadruple being a wedding photographer, but I choose to shoot births because I am passionate about them. 

Being a birth photographer is an amazing profession with so many pro's and con's. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do. I want women to have amazing birth images to help them process their own birth experience and to share with their friends and family. Your photos will become family heirlooms. 

Here is a quick comparison to show why a professional birth photographer is worth every penny:

A Good Photographer

-Can take great photos outside in natural light.
…………………………………………………
-Will try to recreate a moment that they missed shooting the first time.
………………………………………………….
-May be a deer in headlights in a labour and delivery room


…………………………………………………..
-Takes the shot as they see it.

…………………………………………………..

A Professional Birth Photographer

-Has the knowledge and equipment to take high quality, crisp photos in low light.
…………………………………………………..-Get's "The Shot" the first time. There are no do-overs in birth.
…………………………………………………..
-Knows birth procedures and protocols. They know where to stand and when to stand there. They foresee what will happen next. 
…………………………………………………..
-Is creative with angles so that nudity doesn't have to be a part of your birth story.
…………………………………………………..

So how much should a professional birth photographer cost? Well, they SHOULD cost a whole lot more than they do. Chances are you are getting a bargain for everything that goes into capturing and preserving a birth story. 

Still debating hiring a professional birth photographer? I promise you will never regret it. Your partner doesn't have to fumble with the camera and can experience the birth of their child firsthand. You can remember the details that are otherwise blurry and forgotten. You can show your child their birth story instead of just telling them. They will have the amazing gift of seeing the excitement the first time you held them. They see the love felt between both parents after bringing a child into the world. They see how their life began. These are priceless moments that are worth every penny. 

So the answer: A birth photographer is worth a whole lot more than you think! 
Here's a few images to inspire you...